Donald Earl Rust, 85, of Cabool, passed away Friday, April 25, 2014, at Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia.
He was born March 6, 1929, near Cabool, son of James Earl and Mary Frances “Fannie” Bennett Rust. He and Lynn Ullman were married in 1954.
He grew up on the farm that had been in the family for three generations and was baptized along with his brother, Gerald, and sister, Beulah, at a young age. He attended Cabool Schools, playing on the high school football team and graduating in 1947.
He joined the army in 1951 and was stationed in Japan during the Korean conflict. He worked in telecommunications before he was discharged from the service in 1953.
He farmed, raised cattle and had a milk route in the 1950s. Later he went to work at the Producer’s Creamery in Cabool, retiring in 1991.
He loved to travel and took his family on many journeys all over the United States and into Canada. After retirement, he traveled to New Zealand, Europe, Mexico and Jamaica. He also loved to hunt and went elk hunting in Colorado several times.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Lynn; two daughters Cathy Smith and Robin Ealey; a son, Randy; four grandchildren; a sister, Beulah Hood; two step-grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Services Tuesday, April 29, at Cabool United Methodist Church with Dr. Michael Lawton officiating. Burial with full military honors was in Cabool Cemetery under the direction of Elliott-Gentry-Carder Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Cabool Alumni Association, Cabool United Methodist Church youth program or The Animal Shelter of Texas County. Online condolences may be made at www.egcfuneralhome.com.
